Today we're making Steam Trading Cards available to
everyone. Steam Trading Cards are virtual cards you can earn just by playing
some of your favorite games, like Team Fortress 2, FTL, GRID 2, Monaco, Trine 2,
Super Meat Boy, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and more. In total there are
over 30 games with Steam Trading Cards, with more being added every week.
Collecting cards lets you craft new badges for your Steam Profile and earn
rewards like emoticons, profile backgrounds, and coupons.

We've also updated everyone's Steam Community profile with a new look. The new
profile has a more concentrated focus on what you play and how you participate
on Steam. There are new customization options as well, like the new profile
Showcases that let you choose what you want to show off: favorite games, items
up for trade, workshop mods, hard-earned achievements, and more.

Additionally, you'll see a new "Steam Level" on your profile, and when hovering
over a player's avatar. Every badge on Steam now grants XP, which contributes to
your Steam Level. If you've been a Steam member for more than a year and have at
least one game on your account, then you've already got two badges. You can earn
more by participating in events and sales, collecting trading cards, trying out
all the Steam Community features, and more.

Closed Betas wrote on Jun 26, 2013, 18:25:they are starting to lose customers in droves, im one who has left. So to help slow down the exit lane, they try and lock you in to shopping here, with this bs collecting crap.... its pretty sad....